O'Connor's Kendall Groff (09) and Alex Ecker (02) collide while going for a block against Clark in high school volleyball at Taylor Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012.

O'Connor's Kendall Groff (09) and Alex Ecker (02) collide while going for a block against Clark in high school volleyball at Taylor Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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O'Connor's Kristin Fording (14) returns a serve against Clark in high school volleyball at Taylor Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012.

O'Connor's Kristin Fording (14) returns a serve against Clark in high school volleyball at Taylor Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Image 17 of 30

Warren's Shaina Garza (15) celebrates with teammates Lauren McQueen (05) and Brittany Lawson (03) after a winning point against Brandeis in high school volleyball at Taylor Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012.

Warren's Shaina Garza (15) celebrates with teammates Lauren McQueen (05) and Brittany Lawson (03) after a winning point against Brandeis in high school volleyball at Taylor Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 26,

O'Connor senior outside hitter Brooke Burgess knows that her team's pursuit of perfection in District 27-5A isn't going to be an easy one.

All she has to do is take a peek at the league standings and see the logjam — Taft and Warren are tied for second, Clark is a game behind them in fourth and Holmes and Brandeis are both fighting to stay in playoff contention — to figure that much out.

So with the district in a jumble, Burgess and the No. 4 Panthers have a simple approach — stay above the fray.

O'Connor attained its goal Wednesday, starting the second half of district play with a 25-16, 17-25, 25-20, 25-22 win over Clark at Taylor Field House.

“It's just a different mindset in the second round (of district), and, so, we have to have that different mindset, too,” Burgess said. “It's all about working hard in practice — that's where we win.”

After the rivals split the first two games, O'Connor (28-8, 9-0) used late surges in the last two frames to prevail.

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In Game 4, Clark (15-15, 6-3) rallied from a 20-15 deficit to take a 22-21 lead on a kill from Meagan Moe. But O'Connor scored the final four points to conclude the match. In Game 3, the Cougars twice rallied from four-point deficits to tie it at 16. Brianna Sotello had back-to-back kills to stall the rally and put O'Connor back in the lead for good.

“It was very back and forth,” O'Connor defensive specialist Emily Starnes said. “Clark played a really good game. Our goal is to hold onto the district title and hopefully go 16-0 this year.”

In Wednesday's other 27-5A match at Taylor, Warren held off Brandeis for a 25-22, 25-21, 14-25, 25-23 victory.

Shaina Garza had 15 kills as the Warriors (16-15, 7-2) moved into a tie with Taft (25-5, 7-2) for second.

“All the girls are pushing each other,” said Warren setter Tori Zamora, who had 19 assists and three aces. “A lot of the girls have filled in some big shoes, and I think we're doing a great job.”

Brandeis (14-17, 4-5) is now two games out of fourth place but still has matches against O'Connor, Clark and Taft to try and make a late push.

“We're not out of it, as far as district playoffs,” Brandeis coach Maddie Williams said. “It's just about winning the right matches.”